I believe in mediation as a means for settling disputes.  The United States has an outstanding legal system, and Americans are so fortunate to have the right to a trial by jury for cases that cannot be settled without a trial.  But my experience as both a trial lawyer and a mediator has convinced me that a settlement agreement reached between the parties themselves is almost always preferable to the risk and uncertainty of a trial.  Trial places the outcome of a case in the hands of strangers.  Mediation empowers the parties -- the people who know the most and care the most about the dispute -- to resolve the dispute on terms that they jointly choose and agree upon.  As a mediator, I bring with me both my mediation training and experience, and my 37 years of experience as a trial lawyer who has served as trial counsel in almost every area of personal injury, wrongful death and commercial litigation.  I take great pride and personal satisfaction in helping parties and their attorneys settle their cases.  I give my personal commitment to all parties and attorneys to be fully engaged and to work diligently with them to achieve a settlement.  You will not find a mediator who will devote more time, energy and effort to helping to reach resolution.